This one's for the birds

Did you ever have one of those interviews when you’re asked odd questions that one assumes are designed to catch you off-balance and see how you think on your feet? Like, “Here’s a pen.  You have 30 seconds to tell me all the things you can do with it.”  Or, “When was the last time you lied?”  Or, “If you were a bird, what kind of bird would you be?”  I got the last one when I was interviewing for my first job out of undergrad and I believe my answer was “hawk.”  Not as a reference to being a hawk or a dove from a foreign policy perspective (which is a fascinating discussion I enjoy now, but wouldn’t have considered then), but because they seem confident, results-oriented, vigilant and opportunistic, which I assumed might be something a potential employer might want.  And perhaps it was a good answer as I got a job offer, though I went to graduate school instead.


But the question has surfaced in my mind again lately. This is partially because over the past few years I have become fascinated by birds, generally, and have tried to lure as many desirable types of birds (crows, jays, grackles and pigeons need not apply) to various feeders.  This has proven to be fascinating and rewarding as well as endlessly frustrating as I have also battled to keep squirrels, raccoons and, more recently, a bear from raiding or destroying feeders.


After watching all these amazing creatures, though, I think if I were asked the bird question again, I’d choose sparrow because the qualities they exhibit are ones that I would value in friends and colleagues and would hope that they would find in me. So, a few words on those qualities.


Stable. Goldfinches are gorgeous little birds with a beautiful song.  I used to think that they migrated south for the winter as I didn’t really see them around, but it turns out I just wasn’t looking closely enough.  They stay, but they change colors to a more drab olive color for the winter, presumably to draw less attention of predators to them in the stark winter landscape.  Sparrows?  Same look every day of the year.   I’d prefer to know that a friend will always show her true colors, regardless of how uncomfortable that might be.


Adaptable. When was the last time you saw a hawk or a bluebird hanging out in the city?  Doesn’t happen very often.  But sparrows are pretty much ubiquitous wherever you go.  They adapt.  They seem just as happy eating crumbs dropped on a city street as feasting in a freshly harvested field.  Good friends go and grow with you, no matter where life takes you.


Cheery. The song of a sparrow isn’t particularly distinct or pretty, but it’s cheery.  It’s not like the scolding, harsh tone of a blue jay.  It’s hard not to smile when you see sparrows – they’re happy birds.  Who wouldn’t want to be surrounded by friends or colleagues who are perpetually happy, rather than by those who complain or criticize?


Humble. There is nothing fancy about a sparrow.  For the most part, they are drab gray and brown.  They don’t seem to care yet manage to find mates by being who they are, versus flashing some brilliant colors and a cool head crest like a beautiful male cardinal.  I like to surround myself with people who are authentic and comfortable in their own skins.


Non-destructive. Woodpeckers are some of the coolest birds out there.  They’re just different and not afraid to create a little noise while looking fabulous doing so.  And they’re rather creative – I watched a Gila woodpecker last week contort itself to land on a hummingbird feeder and twist its neck around to be able to take a sip.  But they do leave a bit of destruction in their wake (see also the pock-marked wooden trim on our house).  Sparrows are pretty low-impact, leaving behind just a bit of feathers from time to time.  It’s always refreshing to be around people with positive energy rather than those who leave you exhausted.


Hardy. Hummingbirds are fascinating and industrious, but when the first hint of autumn is in the air, they head south.  Sparrows stay in place when the going is tough, just like a good friend is always by your side.


So, if you were a bird, what kind of bird would you be?